BNFO 300 
Molecular Biology Through Discovery
Path to class (Tuesday, Nov 12)
Gene Regulation and Bacteriophage
(please press SUBMIT button when finished)
Fall 2019  


My advice on the matters for the day (as listed in the calendar):

  • Gene Regulation: The goal here is to break away from the abstract diagrams about gene regulation you've probably seen forever and to tie the concepts to actual DNA sequences and the proteins tha interact with them. I suggest that you do what you can before class to understand Fig. 5 and 6 in the notes on this topic and the mechanism by which the molecular interactions shown lead to different outcomes.
     
  • Problem Set 7: Go through Question 5 of Problem Set 7 to help you understand Fig. 6 of the notes. You might also take a look at Question 6 (another route to the same end). Question 1 is an entirely different story, but one you might want to look at to be sure there are no technical problems (check the upper right corner to see if you are using the 2019 version of the problem set).


I. Basic Information

A. Your name  
II. Old business (no need to repeat anything you've said in a previous questionnaire)
  1. Gene Regulation
    • Do you have an idea why we're focusing on transcriptional regulation?
    • The distinction between transcriptional start and translational start and their relationship?
    • The relationship between promoters -- RNA polymerase binding sites -- and the start of transcription? Translation?
    • The import (to the phage) of the lysis / lysogeny decision?
    • Anything else in the notes on gene regulation?


     
  2. Problem Set 7
    Any issues answering Question 5 in Problem Set 7, at least the parts related to promoters?
III. Gene regulation

A. Consider how comfortable you are with the following and comment below as to how class might be most useful to you:

  • Do you recognize common features of the sequences of actual promoters and operators in the cI-cro region of lambda?
  • Do you understand how the interplay between the lambda repressor and Cro protein might achieve a stable decision of lysogeny vs lysis?
  • Do you understand the power of regulatory feedback loops?
  • Any other regulation-related issues?
     

B. Problem Set 7

  • Any issues arising concerning lambda-related questions: 5 and 6?
  • Any issues arising concerning Belozersky & Spirin-related question: 1 & 2?
     
IV. Miscellaneous
Any other comments, questions, suggestions, or concerns you may have?
(nb. Issues concerning your proposal are always welcome)

Thanks!

REMEMBER TO CLICK SUBMIT!